This is the third in our series of suggested reforms for the social security administration's disability evaluation process. The point of this article is simply this: if the social security administration informed individuals how long the disability process really is, and did this upfront, more people could prepare for what will be a financially trying, and, in many cases devastating, period. |
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This, I will admit, is a particular sore point with me. Over the years, I have spoken with many hundreds of individuals who were shocked to find, several months into the process, that they might have an additional year to wait (or longer) before getting to resolution on their disability claim. Typically, claimants are told by the social security office where they apply for benefits that a decision will be made, on average, in 90-120 days. And this average may hold true in many cases. However, very often an initial claim for benefits may take 5 months or longer to process. And that's simply for the first step in the process. Most claimants for ssd or ssi disability benefits will have their initial claim denied. Likewise, most claimants who have filed a reconsideration request will have this appeal denied as well. What's next in the process? A request for hearing before an administrative law judge. How long does it take to get a hearing scheduled? It depends on where you live and how backlogged your local hearing office is. However, it can easily take a year or longer. It is not rocket science to ascertain that if disability claimants were advised from the very beginning how long the entire application and appeal process usually takes...many of them would be in a better position to plan ahead financially. Therefore, this simple suggestion: that the social security administration should make a point of telling claimants exactly how long the total process will likely take. Disability Advocates Help with Claims Free Case Evaluation |
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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY, REPRESENTATIVE LAWYER LIST ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 5 ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 6 |
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